Born in 1965, Ernst grew up hunting on the family ranch in Namibia. During his school holidays he worked in Etosha National Park, taking part in culling, game capture and translocation projects as well as conservation projects. He also conducted "problem" animal control on farms and ranches and took part in anti-poaching operations in game reserves.

Ernst then joined the army and was posted on Namibia's border with Angola. When Namibia became independent, he returned to Cape Town and completed a National Diploma in Nature Conservation and began to hunt professionally. Ernst then managed a hunting reserve in Namibia where he coordinated rhino and elephant anti-poaching units. Ernst moved to Tanzania in 1999 and joined the roster of Tanzania Game Tracker Safaris' Professional Hunters. Ernst has gained experience hunting in South Africa. Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Cameroon and Tanzania. He is also an accomplished photographic safari guide.